19 Times Women In Hollywood Inspired Us In 2016

1. When Gina Rodriguez loved her body.

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Looking at her cover of Women’s Health, the actor wrote, “My curves are healthy and strong and I work hard to feel good in my skin, I work hard to combat the images that make me go inward and destroy my self acceptance/confidence. No longer will I allow those lies to win. Beauty belongs to everyone.”

2. When America Ferrera became a force for change.

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At an awards show hosted by the Feminist Majority Foundation, the actor said, “The very first film I did, Real Women Have Curves, received a response from so many — not just women, not just Latinas — all kinds of people from around the world who saw themselves. And I realized what I already knew as a young person: the power of seeing ourselves, being shown ourselves, being shown our own potential as women, as human beings, as people of color, as people from disadvantaged backgrounds. … It was then that I went from wanting to be a famous, successful actress to wanting my work to matter.”

3. When Jenny Beavan didn’t do heels.

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The costume designer showed up to the famously chichi Academy Awards to claim an Oscar for Mad Max wearing a fake leather jacket and boots. She said, “I really don’t do frocks, and I absolutely don’t do heels. I simply can’t wear them. … I just like feeling comfortable. And I’m sorry, as far as I’m concerned, I’m really dressed up.”

4. When Madonna called out sexism.

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Speaking at the Billboard Women in Music Awards, the iconic performer addressed her radical career — and the misogyny she’s faced: “There are no rules if you’re a boy. If you’re a girl, you have to play the game.

“What is that game? You are allowed to be pretty and cute and sexy, but don’t act too smart. Don’t have an opinion. Don’t have an opinion that is out of line with the status quo, at least. You are allowed to be objectified by men and dressed like a slut, but don’t own your sluttiness, and do not, I repeat, do not share your own sexual fantasies with the world. Be what men want you to be, but more importantly, be what women feel comfortable with you being around other men. And finally, do not age, because to age is a sin. You will be criticized, you will be vilified, and you will definitely not be played on the radio. …

“People say that I’m so controversial, but I think the most controversial thing I have ever done is to stick around. What I would like to say to all the women here today is this: Women have been so oppressed for so long, they believe what men have to say about them. And they believe they have to back a man to get the job done. … As women, we have to start appreciating our own worth and each other’s worth. Seek out strong women to befriend, to align yourself with. To learn from. To be inspired by. To collaborate with. To support. To be enlightened by.“

5. When Beyoncé urged us to stand up for justice.

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The director and performer released a statement taking a stand against police brutality: “We don’t need sympathy. We need everyone to respect our lives. We’re going to stand up as a community and fight against anyone who believes that murder or any violent action by those who are sworn to protect us should consistently go unpunished. … This is a human fight. No matter your race, gender, or sexual orientation. This is a fight for anyone who feels marginalized, who is struggling for freedom and human rights. This is not a plea to all police officers but toward any human being who fails to value life. The war on people of color and all minorities needs to be over. Fear is not an excuse. Hate will not win. We all have the power to channel our anger and frustration into action.“

6. When Constance Wu knew who our heroes were.

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Criticizing the whitewashing in The Great Wall, the actor wrote, “We have to stop perpetuating the racist myth that only a white man can save the world. It’s not based in actual fact. Our heroes don’t look like Matt Damon. They look like Malala. Gandhi. Mandela. Your big sister when she stood up for you to those bullies that one time.”

7. When Jill Soloway got political.

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Accepting an Emmy for her show Transparent, the writer-director said, “When you take women, people of color, trans people, queer people, and you put them at the center of the story, the subjects instead of the objects, you change the world, we found out. … I always wanted to be part of a movement — the civil rights movement, the feminist movement. This TV show allows me to take my dreams about unlikable Jewish people, queer folk, trans folk, and make them the heroes. Thank you to the trans community for your lived lives. We need to stop violence against transgender women and topple the patriarchy! Topple the patriarchy!”